Flow nipple



J. S. WATTS FLOW NIPPLE Nov. 26, 1929.

Filed March 16, 1927 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENT orrlce UNITED STATESA JOHN s WATTS, or'lvnw YORK, 1v. Y.

FLow NIPPLE Application filed March 16, 1927; Serial No. 175,745.

Although my present invention is referred to simply as a flow nipple, itshould be understood that the invention herein described is intendedprimarily for use in replacement 5 of so-called beans, as used in theoutlet pipes from flowing oil wells. 7

As is well understood by Workers in this art, if a gushing oil well, orwell containing much gas, is allowed to flow without restric- 10 tion,the gas fails to bring up a maximum.

total of oil, and the oil will moreover often bring up large quantitiesof sand, Unless the flow is artificially restricted, the resultantcaving commonly results in the choking of -a well after a comparativelyshort time, a

general result being frequently a serious damage to or a complete lossof the well,

so that a new hole must be drilled, at much expense, if production is tobe continued. In order to get, from each well and without danger ofsanding-up, as large an oil output as possible, so-called beans orthrottling devices have heretofore been employed; but these arecomparatively crude; and it is an object of my invention to providesimple from flowing oil,wells; and, to constitute the v mentioned beans,said crosses have, in 0 many mstances, been provided Wlth varlablebush1ngs,assortments belng kept on hand with various comparatively smallholes bored therethrough. Thus, whenever the sand has begun to-moveunduly, a bushing'having a hole (say) 1/64th inch smaller than thebushing previously employed could be substituted therefore, successivebushings being tried,

' if the movement of sand continued, until sand practically ceased tocome. Assuming but a single bean-carrying cross to be utilized, in thedescribed manner,'each change required a closing down of the well; andafter opening up again, a three-hour run might be required to determinewhether or not the hole in the bushing was of a suitable size. Moreover,the holes wore away by attrition; so that, even though correctlyadjusted in the beginning, a'danger point might be reached before theoperatives became aware of any change in conditions. i

As compared with the above, it is an object of my invention to provide arugged andsimple flow nipple which might be referred to as a crossprovided with an adjustable bean,-an outlet opening being preferablydisposed at right angles to an inlet opening, and additional (normallyplugged) openings being provided, to facilitate assembly and replacementof parts and/or to permit of alternative connections. In flow nipplesofmy design, the restriction of flow can be varied more accurately andby more minute percentages than with a bean of the character referredto; and the regulation can moreover' be done without interfering withthe operation of the well. This makes it easy to obtain that rate whichwill give the desired orfmaximum safe outlet; and it is also animportant merit of my novel flow nipple that those parts which areliable to wear by attrition are not unduly expens'ive,-saidparts being,more over, replaceable without disconnection of themain cruciform bodycontaining the same from the pipe line in which the same may beinterposed.

Other obj ccts'of my invention (which may in fact be connected witheither a vertical or' a horizontal pipe leading from a flowing well) maybe appreciated from the followingdescription of an advantageousembodiment thereof, taken in connection with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which i Fig. 1 maybe referred to as, for themost part, a horizontal sectional view, with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 may then be referred to as a vertical sectional view, takensubstantially as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial elevational view, taken I substantially as indicatedby the arrow 3 of rectly or indirectly froman oil well) and an outletopening 14, disposed at right angles to the mentioned inlet opening,being shown as internally threaded (for connection with a pipe 15,whichmay lead to a tank or to al on a separable gland-carrying fitting 37,

gas trap or to any-other preferred unit).

The main body 11 is shown as comprising 'a substantially cylindricalportion 16, in-

wardly terminating in a'thick apertured partition 17,the walls 18 of acircular or other opening through said partition being adapted rigidlyto support a removable and tubular throat member 19. The latter is shownas provide with a rectangular longitudinal passage 0.

Oppo ite the opening in which the tubular member 9 is seated, I show athreaded open ing 21 as c osed by a so-called bull plug 22; and thisopening 21 is intended to be 0 such size as to permit not only theinsertion or replacement of the tubular throat member 19 therethrough(until a peripheral flangf23 'said -throat element 19, of

on said tubular body shall engage an sitely disposed shoulder 24, inwhich the partition 17 may terminate) but also the insertion, intointerfitting relationship with an adjustable closure element 25. Thiselement is shown as replaceable and as adapted slida'bly to advancetransversely of the mentioned passage 20 in the tubular element 19.

The adjustable closure element 25 is shown as comprising a main plate26, corresponding in length with the rather long rectangw lar aperture20, and suitably spaced terminal guide and/or stopflanges 27 and 28; andthe plate 26 may be provided with means, such as an integral andinteriorly threaded central boss 29 extending through a correspondingopening 30 in the. tubular .member 19, to facilitate an adjustment ofthe position of the said plate and said flanges relatively to thepassage 20, to'control the flow of oil and /or gas therethrough'. J

Both of the flanges 27 and 28 being shown as rectangular, the flange 27and the threaded boss 29 are preferably of such dimensions as to renderthese parts of the closure element of said boss, may serve not only tosecure the mentioned parts in their assembled relationship but toprovide for the advancing and/or retracting of said closure to anydesired degree, to serve the purposes, of a so-called bean, but in amanner permitting precise regulation.

The shaft 31 may be provided with any suitable means, such as a collar33, for its retention against longitudinal movement during rotation,said collar being shown. as held between flat annular surfaces 34 and 35,respectively provided in a depression 36 and flat plate 26, lnwardlyterminating in the rectangular flange 28, of suflicientsize to overlapthe edges of the passage 20-imply durability and also imply that everyrotational manipulation of the shaft, 31 must produce a proportionateefiect in the opening or closing of said passage' The indicated shapesand lengths of the mentioned parts are favorable not onlyto-precisionbut to durability, and the timely replacement of the adjustable closureelement 25 (without necessitating any disconnection of pipes 13, 15) maylargely obviate Wear upon any of the other parts mentioned. I

Although I show the tubular element 19 'as provided with depressions 39,39', suitable for engagement by any tool employed in effectin aninsertion or withdrawal thereof, I prefer not to use an excessivelytight or drive fit at 18; and the interposition of an optional key, suchas that suggested at 40, may accordingly serve mainly as an aid inacentering of all parts favorably to the insertion of the shaft 31, orits equivalent,

into the boss 29 upon the closure element 25.

In use, it will be understood that my flow nipples, whether used singlyor in pairsor sets, may occupy an desired position or positions; andthat, w ether or not a plurality of said nipples areconnected to thesame pipe leading from a well (in a manner favorable to the replacementof parts during a diversion of flow) inflow through the passage 20 maybe permitted either by way of the opening 12 or' through an oppositelydisposed opening 4:l,shown as closed by means of a bull plug 42. If thisbull plug undergoes undue erosion, by reason of its position,

it can be easily'and inexpensively replaced.

If desired, embodiments of my invention may be used either with or inplace of socalled control casing heads, the openings 12 and 41 being, inthe case last referred to, presumably disposed one above the other; andit is a matter of some interest and advantage that, if said openings aredisposed in the special manner last referred to, a flow nipple, of thecharacter described may remain connected at the -top of a string oftubing even when, the gas pressure having been reduced, it may bedesirable to'insert a string of sucker rod and/or polish rod or a pipetherethrough as for the'continued exploitation of a well by means such.as a reciprocatory pump, (or hydraulically operated pump, or an'ordinarygas lift) after the natural gas pressure shall drop.

I particularly emphasize, in conclusion, the simplicity and ruggednessof my described flow nipples; the easy' replacement of inexpensive partstherein,although the ele ments 19, 25, and/or 42 upon which wearmay beconcentrated, can be formed of a very durable material or materials; thementioned facility of precise adjustment; and,

the fact that replacements can be made, when necessary, withoutdisconnecting either an inlet or an outlet pipe or interrupting the fiowof oil from the well.

Although I have herein described a single complete embodiment of myinvention, mentioning alternative modes of using the same, it should beunderstood not only that various features thereof are capable ofindependent use but also that numerous modifications thereof mighteasily be devised by workers in the art to which this case relates,without nvolvlng the slightest departure from the spirit and scope of myinvention, as the same is indicated above and in the following claims.

I claim as iny invention:

1. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopeningand with an outlet opening; a separately replaceable throatelement therein; andaflow-controlling element comprising a valve elementwhich extends longitudinally of said throat element and has a facesubstantially parallel with the bottom of said throat element, saidvalve element being movable transversely.

2. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a plate which extends longitudinallywithin said throat element and is movable transversely thereof,--saidflow-controlling element comprising an unapertured end flange which ismovable across an end of said throat element.

3. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a plate which extends longitudinallywithin said throat element and is movable transversely thereof,-saidflow-controlling.

element comprising unapertured end flanges which slidably engage therespective .ends of said throat element.

4. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an'inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a valve element which extendslongitudinally of said throat element having a lower 'face substantiallyparallel with the bottom ofsaid throat and being movable transversely insaid throat element,--said main body being provided with an additionalopening opposite one of the mentioned open- 1IIOS.

E. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a longitudinal valve member whichversely thereof,said main body being provided with two additionalopenings, one opposite each of the mentioned openings.

6. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a valve member having afacesubstantially parallel with thebottom of said throat which extendslongitudinally of said throat element, said valve member being movabletransversely in said throat element, and said main body being providedwith an additional opening through which said flowcontrolling element isbodily movable.

7. In a flownipple for .oil wells: a main body, provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a valve member having a facesubstantially parallel with the bottom of said throat whichextends'longitudinally of said throat element, said valve member beingmovable transversely in said throat element, and said main body beingprovided with an additional opening through which both saidflow-controlling element and said throat element are bodily replaceable,without disconnecting pipes from said inlet and outlet openm s.

In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; and aflow-controlling element comprising a valve member having a facesubstantially parallel with the-bottom of said throat whichextendslongitudinally of said throat element, said valve member beingmovable transversely in said throat element, and said throat elementbeing provided with substantially fiat.

9. In a flow nipple for oil wells: a main body provided with an inletopening and with an outlet opening; a throat element therein; andaflow-controlling element comprising a valve member having a facesubstantially parallel with the bottom of said throat which extendslongitudinally of said throat element, said valve membfer'being movabletransversely in said throat element, and said throat element beingprovided with a rectangular opening and said plate being substantiallyfiat, and said plate being provided with threaded means for its preciseadjustment within said throat element.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at New York, New York,this 5th day of March, 1927.

' JOHN S. WATTS.

